Those looking for some fun and patriotic events on July 4 won’t have far to look in Brookfield, North Riverside and Riverside, with all three villages rolling out parades and more for residents.

And for the first time since 2019, the Brookfield Independence Day Parade will revert to its traditional route, now that the Brookfield Avenue bridge is no longer under construction.

The parade will step off from the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Garfield Avenue at 10 a.m. and move southeast down Grand Boulevard through Veterans Memorial Circle and then into downtown Brookfield before heading east on Brookfield Avenue past the reviewing stand in front of the historic Grossdale Station.

After the parade, gather up your cooler, lawn chairs, blankets and tables and head over to Kiwanis Park (Brookfield and Arden avenues) for the Party in the Park, which begins at noon.

There will be activities for kids, including inflatables from noon to 6 p.m. and a magician from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. There will also be live music courtesy of local favorites The Redmonds from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and The Prissilas from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Leo’s Liquors will be pouring adult beverages and Chicago Donut and Jack’s Chick’n Ribs will have food trucks at the park selling savory and sweet treats.

North Riverside

North Riverside begins its July 4 celebration at 10 a.m. with its annual Little League parade, which will proceed east on 26th Street from 9th Avenue to Veterans Park.

Before Little Leaguers begin play, there will be a patriotic Independence Day flag raising and salute.

The village invites community members to the area in front of the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave., starting at 6 p.m. for a party that will include entertainment for kids, food vendors and live music from Maggie Speaks from 7 to 9 p.m. No outside food/drink or coolers are allowed.

Fireworks at Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Desplaines Ave., cap the evening.

Riverside

The village of Riverside’s Independence Day celebration will play out over two days, starting on July 3 with the Friends of the Fourth’s Concert in the Park at Guthrie Park, Riverside and Bloomingbank roads in downtown Riverside.

The park opens at 5 p.m., with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. with the National Anthem sung by Jennifer Pollock. The concert begins at 5 p.m. Libido Funk Circus will provide the music from 7 to 10 p.m.

You can bring your own refreshments, but food and beverages will be available for purchase from La Barra, Riverside Foods with BuckleDown Brewery, Empanadus and Topical Sno. 

July 4 begins bright and early in Riverside with the 45th Annual Independence Day 5K, which steps off at 7:30 a.m. from Centennial Park, 10 Pine Ave. Runners will head north up Longcommon Road to Selborne Road and loop around to Parkway Road, Northgate Road and then back south down Northwood and Akenside to the finish line near the water tower.

Registered runners receive goodie bags and T-shirts. Through July 2 you can register for $35 online at riverside.il.us/185/Independence-Day-5k. Race day registration is $40.

Riverside’s Independence Day Parade follows at 8:45 a.m., heading south on Longcommon from Delaplaine Road and ending at the Riverside Township Hall. A Festival in the Park follows in Guthrie Park, featuring community groups, bratwursts, face painting, lemonade and more until 1 p.m. There will also be a Tot Trot at 11 a.m. for those too young for the earlier 5K.

Fireworks displays

Those living in Riverside and North Riverside (you must present an ID proving residence) are invited to enter the grounds of the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Desplaines Ave., and watch the club’s annual fireworks show on July 4, which will begin after dusk, between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m.

Those wishing to enter the golf club grounds are encouraged to arrive closer to 9 p.m.

There is no onsite parking for non-club members and limited municipal parking near the golf club, so attendees are encouraged to walk or ride bicycles. Desplaines Avenue will be closed to traffic during the fireworks show, and anyone may watch the show from the Village Commons or nearby sidewalks.

The village of Lyons will also host a fireworks display at dusk on July 4 at Veterans Park, 4200 Lawndale Ave., capping their five-day Lyons Fest 2023. The festival runs June 30 to July 4 from 4 to 11 p.m. each day.

The event includes carnival rides, lives music, food, drinks and more. Entry to the festival is free.

If you’re looking to get your fireworks in a little early this year, the city of Berwyn will host a fireworks show, courtesy of the World’s Largest Laundromat, at dusk on July 3 at Morton West High School, 2400 Home Ave.

Seating will be at the football stadium, where there will also be entertainment before dark.

This story has been changed to update information regarding those wishing to enter the Riverside Golf Club’s grounds to watch the fireworks.